A survey by Debt.com, the personal finance site, found that 5% more Americans were victims in 2022 compared to the year before, and while most are fully aware that this is the most common crime in the country They just don’t know what to do about it.
Debt.com’s annual survey of identity theft shows that crime was even more widespread this year than last, rising from 40% in 2021 to 45% in 2022, with most victims not knowing when they were told. happened.
Last year, 84% of those surveyed were surprised to learn that they had been a target of identity theft. This year, that figure fell to 38%.
Despite the problem, awareness did not match the preventative measures people took. In fact, the opposite occurred. While 8 in 10 respondents indicated they had used identity theft protection services last year, fewer than 4 in 10 did the same this year.
“If you’ve stopped using or have never used these services, you’re probably aware that you’re an easier target for thieves than exploiters,” said Don Silvestri, president of Debt.com.
The cost of identity theft in the US, according to Debt.com:
Lost money in 2022:
– Between $50 and $500: 15%
– Between $500 and $1,000: 8%
– Between $1,000 and $2,500: 5%
Lost money in 2021:
– Between $50 and $500: 22%
– Between $500 and $1,000: 21%
– Between $1,000 and $2,500: 15%
Losing less money means less debt. So it’s a good thing that fewer identity theft victims are taking on debt as a result…
Identity Theft Debts:
In 2022:
– Between $0 and $250: 11%
– Between $251 and $500: 9%
– From $500 and over: 6%
In 2021:
– Between $0 and $250: 17%
– Between $251 and $500: 17%
– From $500 onwards: 14%
(The survey was conducted with more than 1,000 people. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not add up to 100%).
If there was any good news in this year’s survey, it’s this: While identity theft is happening more frequently, it’s costing each victim less.
Silvestri notes that it is concerning that Americans are learning to live with identity theft instead of trying to eradicate it.
“As more people become victims, but the costs of crime fall, we may ease into complacency,” Silvestri explained. “There is no guarantee that the costs of crime will not rise again next year. This is a crime we must take seriously so we never see the face of the perpetrators.”
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